Iatrogenic disease in general practice

Abstract

The definition of iatrogenic disease applied during this survey was that of Cluff et al. "Any adverse reaction to medication undesired or unintended by the physician." Iatrogenic disease may affect the doctor /patient relationship, often leading the doctor to feel guilty or the patient to become aggressive. This survey attempts to estimate the prevalence of iatrogenic disease in general practice and draws attention to the effects on the doctor/patient relationship. The survey was conducted over a period of 3 months amongst several general practitioners. A criterion was established in that any. consultation that resulted as a direct result of iatrogenic disease was considered as an iatrogenic consultation. The total number of consultations amounted to 6.543. Using the aforementioned criterion, 129 consultations were deemed eligible for this survey. Investigations regarding sex, age and the precipitating causes of iatrogenic disease were carried out for each consultation.